Scotland Vs France and its neighbours
Hi Guys!
My first post on here as I am only a recent member as I have just bought myself a 1981 VW T25 in Bright yellow! Me (20) and my partner (21) are going to be taking it away for 3 weeks in august and are undecided as to where to go!
we are predominantly interested in:
- travel, culture, adventure, the outdoors, walking, cycling etc. We are no party animals and are not fussy about where we pitch up ... the cheaper the better! The van is lucky to get 22 to the gallon also and BUDGET is a primary concern (Ideally no more than £600 each at the MAX!)
So I guess the question is what are your ideas as to what area to road trip in and what tips have you got! We are currently quibbling between France and Scotland/coastal 500.
Thanks,
Matt
Comments
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There’s more space in France with the world and his wife heading for Scotland.
Enjoy your trip wherever you go.
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If you're on a limited budget, and it appears that way from what you've said 😉. You'll be able to enjoy more adventures or meals out if you haven't already spent lots of money on fuel. Where are you based? There's lots to explore within the UK 😉. I'd agree with the others midges are a real pain, literally, in Scotland when you suggest and NC 500 advertised everywhere and lots of reports of overcrowding 😲. If you're close to the south coast France is great but don't forget the crossing and tolls will add to your costs.
Ps welcome to our great hobby and CT, lots of knowledge and help on here - ask away. You may get different advice but that proves there isn't a right or wrong way on how to enjoy our hobby 😉😃
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Thanks for the responses!
I am based in Bristol at the moment! I would like to go slightly further afield hence the locations listed but I am open to new suggestions...Although I am a welshman and I have covered most of Wales at some point or other...I have even lived on top of the black mountain for a decade of my life!
The breakdown recovery sounds like an interesting point...I am a UK RAC member....how does the Euro cover work?
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Still affects the east just not as ravenous
Much better class of midges in the West.
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France every time. Scotland is a wonderful scenic Nation, but unfortunately is being spoiled by thousands coming over the border to clog up the highland roads in their quest to tick off the nc500.
France on the other hand is really motor home friendly with quiet roads, lovely villages, great Aires for motorhomes. great campsites and scenery.
K
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Matt, from your Bristol base it's a 1000 mile round trip to Fort William and the highlands, but it's only a 70 mile drive down to Poole to pick up the Cherbourg ferry - and once there you needn't drive very far to find cheap coastal campsites. So you do the math. to compare fuel costs versus ferry fare + insurance. Good wishes.
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I have to agree with my learned friend on this occasion. We were staying at the Bunree site and the first few days were lovely and sunny, then it rained and became damp for a few days and they hatched in their millions. The awning light was literally covered with them. They seemed to favour my poor daughter (8 at the time) for some reason and it was just awful for her, her ‘kindly’ brother called her pizza face, we had to leave after two days and went to the site near Stirling and none there. Also at Breamar and Inverness no such problems
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I’ve never found them on the east side either. A few gnats of the ‘English’ variety but none of the man/woman eating Scottish pests.
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I am confronted with the same choice: France/Italy with hot summer weather and only occasional rain or Scotland, no doubt very beautiful, but with 'less settled and less warm weather'. For me, France and Italy win - I like heat and good weather.
On the other hand, my daughter and son-in-law love Scotland and would love to buy a second home there. They are into climbing and outdoor stuff. I am into sitting outside my caravan in the warm sunshine, drinking the occasional beer or glass of red!
After saying that, this year for us it's Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Sussex and Kent. We're just keeping fingers crossed for the weather!
David
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"The breakdown recovery sounds like an interesting point...I am a UK RAC member....how does the Euro cover work? "
Our vehicles have a UK breakdown cover but as a stand alone we buy effectively an insurance, "Red Pennant" from this club that replicates our UK service in France. However, importantly for us should all go "pear shaped" it affords recovery of the vehicle [plus caravan in our case] and ourselves back to the UK. It also offers a hire car to complete the holiday should one need/choose.
This is not a cheap thing but IMO vital to us for a multitude of reasons.
The issue I perceive, is should you want such a service then the age of the vehicle will I am sure preclude that services from some providers.
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£1200 budget for a 3 week holiday is a little tight so let's see if we can help. I will lay my cards on the table straight awayI am a total francofile so would look at France. You are young so the cheaper night short crossings (1 - 4 in the morning
) should not phase you - also look at the west ones and do your sums (Saving v time, fuel etc). Try to avoid toll autoroutes, fill up at supermarkets, don't eat out too often (take a cheap BBQ). Try to get a C Card that does not charge for o'seas transactions - eg PO Card I got 1.139 last week in Rome. Aug is peak holiday time in Europe and most head for the coast be it Med, Brittany, Vendee it does not matter it will be packed! The Dordogne area will also be full. You seem to like adventurous things so look at Limousin or the area near Clermont Ferrand. There are loads of sites/Aires all over France and away from the main holiday areas if you stop mid afternoon you should be able to get a pitch. ACSI no good for you but get the Club France site book where you will find hundreds of sites. Some research needed on breakdown insurance and trawling through the o'seas section on this forum should give you some leads. Don't forget EHIC (free). You should be ok on your budget. I will let others try to persuade you to go to Scotland!2 -
Another vote for France - Scotland is beautiful but we spent 3 weeks in the rain a couple of summers ago and came back early. Get the VW fully serviced, tell them your going abroad and give it a good look over at all the 'none serviceable' parts eg. is the exhaust on its last legs and enjoy. Take a credit card eg Halifax Clarity (no charges) just in case!
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absolutely my view, ET....Poole-Cherboug a reasonable price and loads of Aires (and sites) to park up around the coast...
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Thanks all!
Some fantastic views...It is looking like we are planning to hit France and see where we end up!
Matt
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Would you find sites or aires in Scotland in August? Plenty of choice in France and if you want to sav money then you can use aires. Check out Campingcar-infos.com.
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